NBA Rank 2025: Surprises and Snubs from the Top 100 List

Jamal Collier: While Victor Wembanyama is undoubtedly an incredible talent, a top-10 ranking feels premature. He simply hasn`t accumulated the necessary credentials or showcased his abilities in high-pressure playoff scenarios to justify a spot among the league`s absolute elite just yet, though he is certainly capable of reaching that level, perhaps even by the end of the upcoming season.

Bobby Marks: The placement of Tyler Herro at No. 68 is a major oversight. Despite an early-season foot injury, Herro was an All-Star last season, marking his fourth consecutive campaign averaging over 20 points. He concluded 2024-25 with five games of 35+ points, a career-best 47.2% field goal percentage, and 5.5 assists per game, playing a career-high 77 games. This ranking disrespects his consistent performance.

Jorge Sedano: I concur with Bobby regarding Herro. It`s noteworthy that he wasn`t the primary offensive option for the Heat last season yet still managed nearly 24 points per game with 38% shooting from beyond the arc. His professional handling of the Jimmy Butler III (No. 18) saga and his subsequent career-best season after Pat Riley`s challenge should place him significantly higher, perhaps in the 40-55 range.

Anthony Slater: The significant leap for Ivica Zubac (No. 36) caught me off guard, not because he isn`t deserving, but because the broader basketball community seems to finally recognize his impact. Unranked last year, Zubac now sits above established players like Jamal Murray (No. 46), Joel Embiid (No. 47), and Rudy Gobert (No. 49), and is close to Ja Morant (No. 33). His ninth NBA season was his career-best, averaging 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds with elite interior defense, solidifying his long-standing role as a dependable starting center.

Matt Williams: While injury concerns are valid, Joel Embiid`s ranking at No. 47 feels remarkably low given his immense talent. When healthy, Embiid is an MVP-caliber player, having won the award in 2023 and consistently averaging over 30 points for three seasons. His 2023-24 season saw him become the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1961-62 to score more points than minutes played. He is poised to significantly outperform this ranking, assuming he stays on the court, which his current placement seems to doubt.

Sedano: The exclusion of Keegan Murray from the top 100 is baffling. He`s a legitimate, versatile 6-foot-8 two-way player who consistently guards the opposition`s toughest offensive assignments for the Kings. Beyond his defensive prowess, he`s a career 38% three-point shooter who contributes effectively without needing high usage. His off-ball movement, cutting, and transition play are excellent. On almost any other team, he would be ranked within the top 55-70.

Collier: Jalen Duren should have been included. His 2022 draft classmate, Jaden Ivey (No. 85), made the list, but Duren arguably deserved that spot. While he has areas for development, Duren is a formidable rebounder who caused significant problems on the glass and generated numerous second-chance opportunities during their postseason run, averaging a double-double against the Knicks.

Marks: I`ll make a case for two players: Herbert Jones and Jordan Poole. Was it forgotten that Jones was named NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024? While injuries limited him to a career-low 20 games, his impact is undeniable. As for Poole, his career highs in points, assists, steals, and three-point percentage in 2024-25 are unfairly overshadowed by the Wizards` poor 18-win record.

Slater: Poole is an excellent choice. His reputation seems unduly damaged by highlight bloopers and the dramatic end to his Warriors tenure. In 2022, during a significant third-year surge, he averaged 18.5 points as a crucial part of an NBA championship team. Despite difficult circumstances the following preseason, he`s proven to be a vital contributor on a winning squad, led the league in free throw percentage, and his secondary scoring is missed by the Warriors. His second season with the Wizards was productive and efficient, shaking off a tough initial year.

Williams: While Duren and Jones are strong candidates, I`d highlight Detroit`s Ausar Thompson. The Pistons` significant defensive improvement last season, ranking 10th in efficiency, was largely due to Thompson`s contributions. According to GeniusIQ, he was among the top five players in limiting opponents` field goal percentage as the contesting defender (minimum 400 contested shots). His outside shooting, however, remains an area for growth, hitting only 15-of-60 jump shots last season.

Collier: I believe Stephen Curry has the best chance. His seemingly inexhaustible stamina and gravity continue to dictate defensive schemes whenever he launches from deep. Despite their advanced ages, all three veterans face immense pressure to lead deep playoff runs in a fiercely competitive Western Conference this season. The significant offseason moves by the Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets demand that this trio not only perform as stars but also maintain their health for their teams to truly contend.

Bobby Marks: I might be in the minority, but I think a compelling argument can be made that all three – James, Durant, and Curry – will remain in the top 10 next season, provided they stay healthy. LeBron James is entering his 23rd season and turns 41 in December, yet Father Time hasn`t caught him. From December 30th last season onwards, James averaged 25.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, was one of only two players alongside Nikola Jokic last season to average 25 points with 50% field goal shooting and 40% from three-point range.

Matt Williams: Assuming they all play in the 2026-27 season, James, Durant, and Curry will indeed stay in the top 10. Only three players – James, Jokic, and Luka Doncic – averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists after James turned 40. Durant`s game is highly adaptable, as evidenced by his 51% shooting on off-the-dribble jumpers last season, a rate only he himself has surpassed since tracking began in 2013-14. Curry`s offensive movement, averaging nearly 5 mph last season (top 10 in the league), and his continued ability to hit four three-pointers per game (ninth time in his career, an NBA record) suggest his game will age gracefully.

Jorge Sedano: I wouldn`t bet against any of these three legends. Curry`s unparalleled shooting ability should allow him the most graceful aging process. However, LeBron James`s enduring performance as he enters Year 23 is remarkable. Durant was exceptionally efficient last season, and his skill set is precisely what the Rockets need, making him the primary catalyst for their Western Conference title aspirations.

Anthony Slater: I`d rank them in order of likelihood to remain in the top 10: Curry, then James, then Durant. Curry maintains the most consistent and predictable role within the Warriors` system, a role he`s perfected for over a decade. If healthy, his statistical and on-court impact should mirror last season`s, securing his top-10 spot. Durant will be navigating a new situation in Houston, while James adjusts to playing alongside Luka Doncic (also a top-10 player). These represent more unpredictable environments for sustained top-tier performance.

Jorge Sedano: For me, this is straightforward: Cade Cunningham (No. 12). He is an undeniable star whose continuous improvement will propel him to superstardom. His blend of size and skill, often drawing comparisons to Doncic for his court vision over defenses, makes the Pistons a must-watch team in the Eastern Conference. Cunningham`s pick-and-roll game is already elite, with significant potential to become a potent three-level scorer, and his defensive versatility allows him to guard multiple positions.

Anthony Slater: My choice is Anthony Davis (No. 14). This might be a contentious or risky prediction given his recent injury history. However, if Davis remains healthy, he will be highly motivated to prove he`s more than just the secondary star in the Doncic trade. The narrative aligns well: if the Mavericks surprise everyone and secure a top-six playoff seed, they will likely have done so largely without Kyrie Irving for much of the regular season. While rookie phenom Cooper Flagg (No. 52) will grab headlines, Davis is the Mavericks` best current player and remains in his late prime.

Jamal Collier: Donovan Mitchell (No. 15) is my pick. Despite the Cavaliers` disappointing playoff exit last season, Mitchell`s performance was consistently excellent since joining Cleveland. Should the Cavs replicate their strong regular season and finally make a deep playoff push, potentially reaching the Finals, Mitchell would undoubtedly be a central figure, leveraging that momentum similar to Tyrese Haliburton`s post-playoff surge.

Bobby Marks: Paolo Banchero (No. 17). His stellar start to the 2024-25 regular season, averaging 33.2 points before an oblique injury, suggests he`s poised for an All-NBA caliber campaign. He ultimately finished the season with a career-high 25.9 points. With the offseason additions of Desmond Bane (No. 39) and Tyus Jones, the Magic are projected to be a top-three team in the Eastern Conference, further elevating Banchero`s profile.

Matt Williams: Following his first All-Star selection last season and an exceptional EuroBasket performance, Alperen Sengun (No. 25) possesses the skill set to enter the top 10. Despite a series loss, Sengun shone for the Rockets against the Warriors in the first round, becoming only the fifth player in league history to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in his debut playoff series. The increased defensive attention on Durant should also create more opportunities for Sengun to excel.

Jamal Collier: Both players would have a compelling case for the top 10. Tatum, without question, would retain his spot in the top five due to his consistent elite performance. Haliburton`s playoff run, however, was truly extraordinary, potentially reshaping these rankings. While he had a few quieter scoring nights, his impact single-handedly propelled his team to Game 7 of the Finals – an achievement few players ranked 11-17 (save for Devin Booker at No. 16) can claim. Even though Jalen Williams (No. 11) excelled in the Finals, Haliburton`s mid-series influence nearly swung the balance to Indiana, despite not having an MVP-caliber teammate to draw defensive attention.

Bobby Marks: If healthy, Tatum is undeniably a top-10 player, consistently delivering at least 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Haliburton`s situation is more complex given the caliber of players in the 10-20 range. However, I`d place Haliburton at No. 17, pushing everyone ranked from Banchero downwards back one slot.

Jorge Sedano: Both players would be in my top 10. Tatum has consistently proven his status as a premier NBA talent. While Haliburton may not always post the flashiest numbers, his exceptional passing and clutch performances firmly place him within that top-10 tier for me.

Anthony Slater: Tatum is easily a top-10 player, likely even top five. He`s been a perennial MVP candidate, often in the fifth slot, for half a decade and is still only 27. His performance last season, before injury, was his career best. As Bobby noted, Haliburton is more challenging. He delivered several spectacular and historic playoff moments, but his overall postseason averages (17.3 points, 8.6 assists, 46% shooting) weren`t overwhelming. He had both standout and quiet games. While he was the engine of the Pacers` machine, I estimate he belongs closer to the 20-30 range rather than the top 10 right now.

Matt Williams: Had he been healthy, Tatum would be in the top 10 after a career-high season in assists, joining Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics to average 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Haliburton, following his Finals appearance and an All-NBA selection, would be in the 11-15 range. Even pre-playoffs, after the All-Star break, Haliburton was averaging 20.6 points and 11.0 assists with only 26 turnovers across 21 games.

Jamal Collier: Regardless of his current top-10 placement, Giannis Antetokounmpo will rise further in next season`s rankings. His game has become increasingly efficient and dominant, and he is poised to take on even greater responsibility for Milwaukee this season. This sets him up for a monster year, potentially making a case for the top spot overall.

Bobby Marks: Amen Thompson (No. 37) will break into the top 20. While I`m not ready to predict an All-NBA selection, his defensive body of work last season in Houston warrants serious consideration for NBA All-Defensive Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. Thompson had a breakout sophomore campaign, leading the NBA in effective field goal percentage allowed as a contesting defender and ranking fifth in defensive estimated plus-minus. His offensive game, with 27.5% from three and 68.4% from the foul line, remains a work in progress.

Jorge Sedano: My bold prediction: Wembanyama will become the fourth player in NBA history to win both MVP and DPOY in the same season, joining Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He`s a lock for DPOY if he meets the games played requirement. For MVP in a stacked Western Conference, the Spurs would need to secure a top-six seed. I`m confident that circumstances will align, and the Spurs will improve sufficiently to reach this benchmark.

Anthony Slater: After being ranked No. 90 last season and No. 89 in these rankings, Andrew Wiggins will continue his consistent trend, finishing at No. 88 ahead of the 2026-27 season. This might seem unremarkable, but there`s a quiet consistency to Wiggins`s game. Despite a midseason trade involving Jimmy Butler and moving to a new conference and team, his statistics remained almost perfectly static. Therefore, I predict a decent, under-the-radar season, a potential trade away from Miami, and that 88th ranking in the summer of 2026.

Matt Williams: I`ll offer predictions for two Hawks players: Jalen Johnson (No. 44) will become a top-25 player next season, and Trae Young (No. 29) will enter the top 15. Before his season-ending torn labrum, Johnson was posting career highs across the board and was integral to the Hawks` offense. Young is coming off a season where he led the league with 11.6 assists per game, a Hawks franchise record. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis (No. 50) will significantly benefit Young as the Hawks aim for their first Finals appearance since 1961.